SORCC keeps a lid on norovirus outbreak

The Southern Oregon Rehabilitation Center and Clinics in White City was forced to turn away patients and limit access to its campus Wednesday because of a norovirus outbreak.

By Sam Wheeler

The Southern Oregon Rehabilitation Center and Clinics in White City was forced to turn away patients and limit access to its campus Wednesday because of a norovirus outbreak.

The highly contagious gastrointestinal infection, also known as the "winter vomiting disease," causes severe diarrhea, nausea, and stomach cramps, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Rhonda Haney, a SORCC spokeswoman, would not comment on how widespread the outbreak is among patients or employees at facility, and did not return multiple phone calls from the Mail Tribune Wednesdy seeking information about the outbreak. Haney hung up the phone to avoid a conversation about the topic.

The Mail Tribune Wednesday received a tip from an SORCC patient who was turned away from a scheduled appointment at the facility by a staff member there because of the outbreak.

Outpatients at the VA SORCC who do not have enough medications to last three days are being asked to call the pharmacy at 541-826-2111 extension 3606 and the pharmacy will mail medications to patients overnight, KDRV, Channel 12, reports.

Norovirus illness typically subsides within three days, but it can result in death, especially in the cases of young children, elderly adults and people with pre-existing health conditions, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Norovirus is found in the vomit and stool of those infected and can be spread through contaminated food and drink, person-to-person contact and through the air, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Reach reporter Sam Wheeler at 541-776-4471 or swheeler@mailtribune.com. Follow him at www.twitter.com/swhlr.